In a Battle of Past Champions, Venus Willams Loses to Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon

(June 27, 2014) WIMBLEDON – 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova beat five-time champion Venus Williams for the fourth time in five matches moving into the round of 16 with a 5-7, 7-6, 7-5 victory on Friday on Centre Court.

The 34-year-old Williams dismissed any talk of retirement in the near future.

“People have been trying to retire me since I was like 25,” she said. “For some reason in tennis we always do that to our players. It’s weird. We don’t encourage them to stick around. It’s like, Get out of here.

“So I’m not getting out of here. I think this year has been a great year for me. I’ve had some tough losses, but I’ve learned a lot from them. I’m finding my way back on my feet.

“I’m proud of myself for what I’m achieving on the court..”

Williams was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease a few years ago.

“I want to win Grand Slams,” she said. “Everybody does. No one gives it to you. They snatch it away and say, `Mine.’ That’s what I’ll have to do is snatch it, say, `Mine,’ too, growl if need be. `’

“She’s doing good job, Kvitova said. “Of course, for us it’s always tough to see the opponent who is really trying and fighting.

“She’s a huge player, big champion. So we all have respect to her, definitely.”

“Definitely I’m pleased that I won, the Czech added. “I’m in the second week of the Grand Slam, so that’s really nice to have this feeling.

“I’m pleased with my performance. I mean, I don’t think that I was better player today actually all the match, but I just keep it and try to win the important points in the tiebreak, then I just tried to wait for some breakpoint.

“Yeah, of course, I won three matches here on the grass. I love it. I will try not to be the end.”